Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Open Door Mission! We appreciate your willingness to partner with us as we work towards our goal: to glorify God through a Christ-centered ministry that meets the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of hurting people in the greater Rochester area.
Questions? Please contact Mia, our Volunteer Manager, at volunteer@opendoormission.com.
To see volunteer opportunites and register, please click HERE
Interacts with the children, ensures safety, promotes love and kindness through example. (Background check mandatory)
This is a group volunteer opportunity for up to six people to purchase, prepare, and serve a hot breakfast for about 85 guests. Groups may prepare a traditional breakfast using items like eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, bread, milk, juice, and coffee, or choose to serve something creative such as breakfast burritos, pizzas, or muffins. After serving, volunteers assist with cleanup. This opportunity is best suited for teams who can work together to cook and serve. Here is what most groups bring to prepare for breakfast: Orange Juice-5 gallons, Whole Milk-3 gallons, Eggs-20 dozen, Pre-cooked Bacon-230 strips (about 17-packages), Precooked Sausage-300 links, Tater Tots-Enough for 85 servings, Bread-Enough for 85 servings, Coffee grounds-2 large tin, 8 oz Styrofoam cups-(optional) enough for 160 servings.
156 NORTH PLYMOUTH AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14608
Join us in serving dinner with care and hospitality. Volunteers arrive at 5:00 p.m. to help prepare meals-to-go for our shelter guests. Afterward, you’ll assist with dinner by setting tables, plating meals, serving guests, and helping with cleanup. Tasks may also include final meal prep, such as placing rolls in baskets, cutting desserts, or tossing salads. Dinner is served at 6:00 p.m., and up to four volunteers are needed each evening. (Max 3 People)
Assist donors as they drop off items, ensuring they are welcomed and receive receipts for their contributions. Duties may also include organizing donations, light cleaning, taking out trash, and lifting items up to 45–50 lbs. This role helps create a smooth and positive donation experience.
Help sort and organize donated clothing in our clothing room to ensure items are neat, accessible, and ready for distribution. Tasks may include separating clothing by size and type, preparing items for display, and assisting with filling emergency clothing orders for individuals in need. This role requires some lifting (up to 40–50 lbs.). Note: Volunteers ages 14/15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Team up with our exciting development department by assisting with data entry, filing, answering phones, fundraising and event planning
Groups purchase and prepare 70 bagged lunches (about 140 PB&J sandwiches) for our community meal program. Each lunch bag typically includes 2 sandwiches, 1 snack, and 1 beverage. Here’s what you will need to purchase to make 70 lunches: 14 Loaves of bread, 6 Jars of peanut butter, 6 Jars of jelly, 70 Brown paper lunch bags, 200 Sandwich bags, 70 Juice boxes or water, 70 Snacks. Lunches should be dropped off at the back deck of 156 N. Plymouth Ave., Monday–Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is an offsite opportunity, so groups can prepare the lunches at a location of their choice. To make the meal extra special, volunteers are encouraged to decorate the lunch bags with kind words, Scripture, or uplifting messages to brighten someone’s day.
One time projects that may include cleaning, painting, maintenance or organizing. Those interested should reach out to our Volunteer Manager.
156 NORTH PLYMOUTH AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14608
Provide morning worship for our guests prior to the Sunday service. Worship may be offered through live music and instruments or by coordinating praise and worship videos. This role helps set a spiritual tone of hope and encouragement for the day.
*The Mission has a keyboard and/or piano available.Help lead Bible studies for our guests. To ensure comfort and openness, men lead men’s groups and women lead women’s groups. Volunteers guide Scripture reading and discussion, encourage participation from individuals with diverse life experiences, and foster a safe, respectful space for learning and sharing. This role may also include incorporating praise and worship through music, video, or testimony, as well as offering prayer and words of encouragement. The heart of this opportunity is to bring hope, fellowship, and God’s Word to our guests in a way that uplifts and inspires. Volunteers are encouraged to provide a simple outline or takeaway material, so participants can continue reflecting throughout the week.
